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Old 02-16-2007, 19:55   #2
SouthernDZ
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 656
acute managment of a pneumothorax, tension pneumothorax on the battlefield is pretty much the same across the spectrum (68W-SOCM-18D) with the advent of TCCC. Only with a delayed evacuation (such as encountered by an 18D) does the chest tube come into play. In other words, skip the tension PTX - boring.

Aortic transections are common with the "sudden stop" that inevitably occurs with parachute malfunctions; this type of shearing force injury is common with head-on MVCs. The aortic "tear" usually occurs at the ligamentum arteriosum. This might be interesting to present.

The "butterfly effect" caused by overpressure within the thorax might make a good presentation as well. Sometimes seen with IEDs.

Good luck to you.
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